Process for the production of dealcoholized beverages, as well as a unit and device for performing the process

Abstract

For continuous production of dealcoholized beverages, a substrate consisting of fruit or berry juice, grape juice or beer wort is first preclarified in a microfiltration device (2) and sterilized and then fermented by immobilized microorganisms in the fluid bed process in a tower fermenter (3). Support particles (12), which are kept in suspension in tower fermenter (3) and to which the microorganisms are bonded, guarantee an effective biomass retention. After fermentation in tower fermenter (3), the raw juice is freed of alcohol in a dealcoholization device (24) and then clarified in an ultrafiltration or microfiltration device (27). The process taking place in a continuous product line makes possible an especially economical and productive operation of the unit.

I claim: 
     
       1. In an apparatus for the production of dealcoholized beverages by fermentation and dealcoholization of a substrate consisting of fruit or berry juices, grape juice or beer wort, comprising microfiltration means receiving a substrate for continuous clarification and sterilization of the substrate to form a clear substrate, a tower fermenter having a fluid bed therein and connected to said microfiltration means to receive said clear substrate therefrom, said clear substrate flowing through said tower fermenter, said tower fermenter containing inert support particles, and means within said tower fermenter for maintaining the substrate mixed in said tower fermenter in constant motion. 
     
     
       2. In an apparatus according to claim 1 wherein wall (16) of tower fermenter (3, 30) there are placed several discharge openings (20) through which support particles (12) are discharged. 
     
     
       3. In an apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the oxygen necessary for the cell growth and the enzymatic glucose breakdown is fed from the outside into tower fermenter (3, 30) and is distributed without bubbles with the aid of an air-permeable, finely porous hollow body, pipe or tubing (14) in the fermenter.